UK authorities have announced that if no agreement with the EU is in place by 14th April, the UK will set provisional catch limits for UK-EU shared fish stocks for the remainder of 2021.
The move is described as an arrangement to provide the UK fishing sector with clarity on 2021 fishing opportunities.
Negotiations with the EU have been in progress since January, and will continue after Easter.
Under an interim arrangement, the UK government has already extended the current provisional determination of UK fishing opportunities until 14th April 2021.
In the absence of agreement with the EU, this determination will be replaced on or before 14th April with new provisional catch limits to provide industry with clarity concerning fishing opportunities to the end of 2021.
‘We are committed to cooperating with the EU to reach an agreement. However, any agreement reached must be in the best interests of UK fishermen and we will not accept a poor deal,’ said Environment Secretary George Eustice.
‘We have set provisional catch limits to allow these negotiations to conclude, and we will take steps to ensure that our fishermen have the certainty that they need – whatever the outcome.’
He commented that the UK will continue to cooperate with the EU on the sustainable management of fisheries.
